Aeroponic Technology Versus Premium Organic Soil Cultivation Part IV: Habanero Chile
progress. The aeroponic chamber has not kept a steady pH since
the initial transplant, but is not any less productive than the
organic soil. In my own experience with organic nutrients I
find that kelp based products tend to drift alkaline over a period
of time, which leads me to believe the seaweed derived base
bloom is responsible for the fluctuation. Many organic products
also claim they do not require pH balancing, and that the plants
can assimilate nutrition through a broad pH spectrum not
available when under the influence of synthetic blends.
The habanero chili fruit is showing its color during week 13 in aeroponics.
The vibrant green of the soil plant here is thriving in week 14.
The foliage from the aeroponic plant shows white pre-flowers in week 13.
readily facilitate nutrition faster than older ones. In this particular
situation, it is extremely hard to sufficiently cover a vast amount
of the plants’ surface area. The density and structural growth of
the experiment garden has areas inaccessible to foliar penetration.
However, it never hurts to experiment with what you have.
W14
Week Fourteen
The first foliage application is an organic specialty
micronutrient complex containing anaerobic bacteria which also
promotes fungal resistance. Pre-mixed with an organic surfactant
to help maximize leaf coverage, the spray should promote
healthy green growth in all existing shoots and tips. In an ideal
situation my intention is to effectively coat as much of the
dense mass as possible providing immediate nutritional uptake
and a protective layer over the epidermal layer of the leaf. The
fast absorption should prevent and correct any deficiencies that
could occur, and the temporary waxy layer left behind on the
leaves will reinforce against any hungry pests that are in the area.
Lighting is turned off for one hour to effectively cover as much
as possible including undersides, without burning tender newly
developed growth shoots and foliage. The reservoir also receives
its’ weekly flush helping to maintain its’ pristine root zone.
Throughout the duration of this project, pH instability is
consistent, yet does not seem to hinder the plants or their
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MAXIMUM YIELD USA - March 2009
W15
Although the aeroponic chamber has
not kept a steady pH, the plant remains
productive in week 14.
Week Fifteen
Upon beginning the new week I return to the garden to find
the temperature has dropped to about 55°F with the lights
on! Between the cold, foliage application and the predatory
nematodes, signs of bug infestations should be close to none.
After feeding the soil plants for the first time of the new week,
I immediately notice there are no fungus gnats appearing. I
wouldn’t expect much to survive after an environmental flux
like that. The foliar spray applied in the previous week seems to
have benefited the experiment as well. Everything that received
treatment looks green, healthy and boosted as anticipated with
no signs of burn.